made all, mistake 1st, drew clear on bit 4 out, 25 lengths clear and cantering when blundered last, unextended
tracked winner to after 4th, continued to dispute 2nd, no chance with winner from 4 out, regained remote 2nd 2 out
raced keenly, went 2nd after 4th, not fluent next, no chance with winner from 4 out, pecked next, lost remote 2nd and weakened 2 out
The potentially high-class MENORAH would almost certainly have won on his chasing bow at Exeter had he not blundered and unseated Richard Johnson at the second-last. He had a spin over hurdles earlier this month to get his confidence back and should make no mistake today. Royale's Charter was useful over hurdles and runner-up to Kumbeshwar over fences at Hereford last month. He can improve while Suburban Bay won twice over timber in the summer but may need the experience here.
Menorah (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Tracked leading pair, challenged 2 out, ridden and outpaced before last, soon lost place, no impression with leaders flat, 4th of 8, 13l behind Grandouet (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd.
Royale's Charter 7-1 (11-0) Raced in 4th, went left 8th, headway to 3rd 2 out, went 2nd before and no chance with winner when went left last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Kumbeshwar (10-7) at Hereford 2m nov chs (4) gs in Nov.
Suburban Bay 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent next, chased winner approaching 3 out until mistake next, weakened last, 11th of 23, 21l behind Decoy (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
